Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has 'the best defensive statistics and numbers' in Europe, insists Arsene Wenger
- Arsene Wenger has defended Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin
- Wenger believes Coquelin is proving himself as one of the best in Europe
- Gary Neville has criticised Wenger for not bolstering his midfield
- READ: Arsenal boss Wenger tells pundits to do their homework
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has the 'best defensive statistics in Europe'.
The 24-year-old has emerged as one of Arsenal's most influential players since breaking into Wenger's first team midway through last season.
However, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville branded Wenger either 'arrogant or naive' for failing to sign 'players of power' for his midfield and instead deciding to stick with his current crop of players despite limited success in recent years.
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has the 'best defensive statistics in Europe'
Wenger insists that Coquelin that is proving himself as one of the best holding midfielders in Europe
Wenger has since insisted that Coquelin in particular is 'doing a great job' for his team and is proving himself as one of the best holding midfielders in Europe.
He said: 'I think we have had that debate for a long time now - "Arsenal does not buy defensive players" -- but Coquelin has the best defensive statistics and numbers in Europe.
'Defensively, Coquelin is doing a great job. Since January, we have conceded fewer goals than anybody else.
'Look, I am not against opinion. People can say they don’t think Arsenal is good enough. I accept that. But it is dangerous to say "He will never be a player" — especially when the comment has come from people in football.'
Arsenal could be without centre backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny at Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime.
Mertesacker has a chest infection and Koscielny has a back injury.
Gary Neville branded Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger 'arrogant or naive' during live coverage on Sky
Neville (right) claimed Wenger's failure to bring in a midfielder of Patrick Viera's ilk has hindered Arsenal
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